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London Marathon 14th April 2002
 Richmond and Zetland Harriers had four runners compete in the London Marathon last Sunday. A wonderful day, both weather-wise and athletically; the sun shone on Paula Radcliffe as she won the Ladies race in 2:18:56 and became the fastest-ever Marathon debutante and broke the British record. Similarly, Khalid Khannouchi shaved 4 seconds off his own World record to win the Men’s race in 2:05:38.
« Ian, Mike and Bill collecting their numbers.
Whilst not quite in the same class, Mike Brooks, Ian Hepworth, Grete Buck and The Reverend Bill Simms, all won their own battles over the distance. All four runners set off from Blackheath, Mike and Ian from pen 2, just behind the elite athletes. They were across the line in seconds and through the first mile inside eight minutes. Mike ran the early miles with Peter Wicks and Roger Webber of Swaledale before latching-on to a group from Ampthill Road Runners who wore the same red and white vest. 
Although the pace slowed a little in the second half, Mike finished in 3320th place with a time of 3:20:36. Wicksy ran a personal best 3:21:43, Webbo finished in 3:26:06 and Ian was exactly 9 minutes behind Mike in 4803rd place, completing his 10th consecutive London Marathon and raising monies for local charities.
Past 10k and Cutty Sark is in view »
Grete started from pen 5 with others of a similar ability, all wanting to run inside 4½ hours and, although disappointed not have run even faster, finished in 4:11:02 and 14626th place overall. Bill, the Vicar of Hawes, started from pen 6 with the 5 hour runners and was just 14 seconds outside his target at the half but then jarred his ankle badly, negotiating a speed bump on The Isle of Dogs. His finishing time of 5:36:55 and 30288th position doesn’t reflect his ability but does complement his durability! Colin Sewell had to pullout at the eleventh hour after chipping a bone in his foot but his "sick-note" guarantees him a place in next year’s event.
 Prior to the main event, the organisers staged their Mini-Marathon over the last 3 miles of the course starting from Victoria Embankment and finishing on The Mall. The race is for school children from all 33 London boroughs plus invited teams from several Counties based on their performances at the English Schools X-C Championships. Georgina Zissler of RZH was selected as one of the County Durham Junior Girl’s team; she enjoyed her run, the trip to the capital plus all the sights and sounds of the Marathon.
« Mike with his Medal at the finish
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